Lendale Johnson, one of the world’s first openly homosexual professional tennis players has never hesitated to speak their truth. As the star of an upcoming reality show, Lendale Johnson knows that this quality will help them.
Johnson made history when they came out in 2020 as gay. They made headlines again a few short years later when they announced that they were nonbinary. Although it was a difficult fight, the athlete feels great pride.
Lendale Johnson on Queer Representation in Sports
Sonia Baghdady, of the Sonia Baghdady Show, tells her that “Visibility” is a powerful force in our world. Advocate Now.
Johnson says that they felt “their voice was stronger” during this time, when the Black Lives Matter Movement was at its height. Johnson shares that while they were welcomed by many and even received some brand deals, they still faced some backlash in particular international circles.
They explain, “Advocates expressed concern about my travel to tournaments in countries with very few LGBTQ rights.” It was very scary. “I have to be very careful with the tournaments that I attend around the globe.”
Johnson, however, says that they do not regret their decision.
